Not too much, you can only have so much snark in your life …
The biggest by-product of my psyche that crowds into my books is found in the
dialogue. I have a fast repartee with those who know me well.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Hubby and I were having coffee with a friend in the local
Tim Horton’s (all Canadians just cheered at that name), and we’d been there for
over two hours. I was ready to leave – they were not. I told DH if we didn’t
go, as in now, I would stand up and sing. He didn’t and I did. I sang “When I’m
Calling You” as it was sung by Nelson Eddy and Jeannette MacDonald. Google and
listen, wait for the chorus. You’ll know why we left immediately after that.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I haven’t. I’ve written all my life, just not with purpose.
I sold my first book in 2010 and still don’t feel like a writer. Any day now
someone is going to cry “Fraud” and point at me.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Do you have all day?
The list is long and varied. I read contemporary romance, women’s fiction,
young adult, science fiction, historical romance, Christian fiction, Christian
historical romance, biographies, devotionals, Christian non-fiction, bubble-gum
wrappers, and cereal boxes. The last bit was to see if you actually read all
the answer. The most important book I read is comprised of 66 books in total,
and that is God’s word. I read exceptionally fast and can read five books or
more a day, if life doesn’t intrude. Pesky life.
I’m a fast reader
naturally, too. I’ve had to train myself to take it slow with the Bible. I don’t
want to miss even one morsel of what God wants to tell me through His word that
day. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
We place too much value on things and being busy. My
priorities are this: God, husband, family, friends, and then the other “stuff,”
which includes writing.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I’ve never thought about that. Usually when I start to write
their names just come to me. I’ve changed some names, especially as I get into
the story and the name doesn’t seem right. My first book’s heroine was called
Rowena. I desperately wanted someone to call her “Ro” and have her think of
salmon swimming upstream, but the name didn’t fit. She became Shelby . Much better.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
My family. My sons and their spouses are content and happy.
We have great grandkids who love us to pieces, and I really, really, really
like my hubby. We’ll be celebrating out 34th anniversary next year, and he
still makes my heart go pit-a-pat.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I would be one of our cats. Seriously, they’ve got it made!
What is your favorite
food?
Lasagna
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Procrastination. I’d love to stop, but I keep putting it
off….
Okay, okay, let’s get serious here. I work to create action
around all my witty dialogue. Once my book is written I go back and add much
needed dialogue beats. Things that will anchor the reader in the story and not
be so much of a tennis match of he said, she said.
That sounds like part
of my teaching on “Layering Pizzazz.” Tell us about the featured book.
Whatever happened to Caroline Bingley after her brother and
unrequited love interest married a Bennet sister? Join me in this story of
redemptive love and the healing of broken dreams.
Caroline Bingley, beyond frustrated with her brother,
Charles, and Mr. Darcy both proposing to the Bennet sisters, dreads their
upcoming nuptials. For three years, her sole focus has been on attaining a
marriage proposal from one Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, only to be foiled by
a country miss with “fine eyes.” Adrift
and not sure of her place in life, she meets the mysterious and devastatingly
handsome Lord Nathan, who equally vexes and intrigues her.
Lord Nathan Kerr, third in line to a Dukedom, had a well-earned
reputation as a Rake. He cast all that and his noble title aside to become Mr.
Darcy’s vicar in Kympton, finding contentment in leading his small flock and
doing the Lord’s work. His plan for a quiet country life is thrown into
upheaval when he meets the fiery Miss Bingley. Can he reconcile his rising
desire for the spoiled miss with how a vicar’s wife “should” behave?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Caroline Bingley descended the grand staircase and proceeded
toward the breakfast room, barely acknowledging the footman who efficiently
pulled a chair away from the table. With a soft swish of silk, she settled on
the seat. When the second footman poured her tea, she deigned to give him a
slight nod of approval, but that was because she was in a fine mood.
She noted through the window overlooking her sister’s
favorite garden that it was a beautiful fall morning, the leaves of the oak
trees a riotous flame of red and orange. October was just around the corner and
her good mood, which had been in evidence since late August, showed no sign of
wavering. She’d even gone to church the day prior for mass and enjoyed the
hymns, although the bishop nearly bored her to tears.
As she fussed with her morning meal, she mentally ticked off
plans she and Charles had for the upcoming week. There were papers to sign, by
Charles, with their lawyer to quit the lease at Netherfield Park ,
and she had a fitting with Madam Beaufort before the much anticipated Annual
Michaelmas Ball at Lady Addleworth’s mansion.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was sure to attend the ball. He and
his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, arrived in Town the other day and spent an
inordinate amount of time with Charles. She only hoped it was because Charles
finally decided to pursue an arrangement with Georgiana and as her guardians,
Darcy and the good Colonel would finalize the articles of marriage as well as
details of the dowry. With luck they would announce the engagement before the
ball and with his shy little sister taken care of, Mr. Darcy could concentrate
on his own happiness.
At last Charles was safe from Miss Jane Bennet, although
he’d been reminded of her when they had the misfortune of running into her
sister Elizabeth while at Pemberley in early August. For a few days she’d
worried Darcy might continue to grow in affection for the well-tanned miss with
muddy hems and ‘fine eyes’, but fortunately she exited Derbyshire rather
abruptly the very next day. Caroline didn’t need the ever present Miss Bennet
to ruin her plans for Charles and Georgiana as well as those for herself. After
three long years of careful planning, she would not be denied her future by a
girl of little consequence.
She longed to be Mistress of Pemberley. To have others look
to her for guidance, to run the household the way it should. First order of
business would be to dismiss Mrs. Reynolds. The housekeeper was by far too smug
and too familiar with Mr. Darcy. Why, she let anyone who knocked on the door
run amok within the house and on the grounds. Such behavior would be stopped
the minute she and Mr. Darcy exchanged their vows. Pemberley needed a strong
hand to run efficiently and she had the fortitude to make it happen.
She bit into a light-as-air croissant and sighed. This was
her only indulgence, otherwise the dress Madame Beaufort designed would never
fit and she needed to look spectacular the night of the ball. Darcy would
propose before night’s end or her name wasn’t Caroline Anastasia Bingley.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website: www.suebarrauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSueBarr
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SBarrAuthor
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/suebarr
Thank you, Sue, for
sharing this book with us. It looks like a fun read.
Readers, here are links to the book. By
using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Caroline (Pride & Prejudice continued...) (Volume 1) - PaperbackCAROLINE (Pride & Prejudice continued... Book 1) - Kindle
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12 comments:
This looks soooo good! I love P&P!!! So, which is your favorite version? Mine is the one with Colin Firth. I think because the one with Kiera Knightly was so much shorter, it seemed empty to me.
If I win, I would like a paperback copy, since I don't read ebooks. :)
Can't wait to read this!
God bless.
I've watched every version, even the *shudder* 1940 version where they wore dresses and bonnets more suited to a Civil War time period. What WAS Sir Laurence Olivier thinking? However, my all time favorite version was 'Lost in Austen', a variation of P&P. In this delightful rendition, ALL the high points of the novel are met, just not in the way we expect. It was so diverting. Other than that, ODB Colin holds my heart and I've almost worn out the DVD.
Lovely interview post! Thank you for sharing, ladies.
I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen. (I'm watching an Austen movie right now, actually!)
Elly -Indiana-
Sounds like a good one and what a great cover!
Melanie Backus, TX
I love Jane Austen! This one sounds awesome.
Caryl K in TX
I always enjoyed Jane Austen and know I would enjoy this too!
Beth from IA
I have seen the 1940 version too. That was the first version I saw. Don't remember to much about it, other than Greer Garson playing Elizabeth Bennett. :)
Think of hoop skirts, puffy sleeves and huge bonnets. 'Nuff said.
I absolutely love the cover!!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I have to admit, I love it too. One lovely reader stated this is how she will always see Caroline, no matter which P&P variation she reads. My cover was designed by Theresa, who's website is The Midnight Muse.
Enter me for the print copy!!
Conway SC.
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